Department of Cultural Affairs

By Psyche Cho
Staff Reporter

A traditional Chinese spring roll tasting event held amid beautiful Nanguan and Guqin music in the late writer Lin Yu-tang’s former residence officially kicked off the 2011 Taipei Culture Passport series March 28, in a bid by the city to enrich the spiritual life of its citizens.

“The passport is the ticket to a more beautiful life,” commented Hsieh Hsiao-yun, Commissioner of the Taipei City's Department of Cultural Affairs, the organizers of the event.

Operating under the umbrella theme of ‘Having Fun in Taipei’, a total of 108 programs are being presented for people to experience with their senses—of sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste.

As spring breezes breathe life into every living thing on earth, the six-month-long project has opened with a program spotlighting delicious spring rolls, followed immediately by spring tea tasting and poetry readings, together with lessons on traditional Chinese instruments.

Co-organizer South Village Head Han Liang-lu commented that since “culture takes roots in civil life,” one of the themes is closely related to Chinese astrological terms, an effort to remind modern people of the old wisdom of living harmoniously with nature.

Other activities ranging from folk celebrations, urban strolls, food, classic architecture and nature to ongoing concerts, will run all the way to September.
 
“The passport serves as a reference for citizens for where to go, what to eat, and what to see in the city,” said Hsieh, adding that “through this long term event, I hope citizens will enjoy their lives more here.”

The organizer also pointed out that the passport is downloadable from the department’s website, and advised those who are interested in the activities to sign up for them quickly, as many of them have limits on the number of participants.